The GE stakes just got higer: Clarence Thomas seriously considering retirement...

[woolldog]

Justice Clarence Thomas, a reliable conservative vote on the Supreme Court, is mulling retirement after the presidential election, according to court watchers.

Thomas, appointed by former President George H.W. Bush and approved by the Senate after a bitter confirmation, has been considering retirement for a while and never planned to stay until he died, they said. He likes to spend summers in his RV with his wife.

His retirement would have a substantial impact on control of the court. The next president is expected to immediately replace the seat opened by the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, providing a one-vote edge in the court that is currently divided 4-4.

Should Thomas leave, that slight majority would continue if Donald Trump becomes president. If it's Hillary Clinton, then she would get the chance to flip two Republican seats, giving the liberals a 6-3 majority.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/end-of-conservative-supreme-court-clarence-thomas-may-be-next-to-leave/article/2594317

This makes BOBs appear even more reckless, irresponsible, and selfish than they already do.

[HereSince1628]

1. Presidents nominate, Senate confirms. and face it Trump needs advice on who to pick

that would likely be the same advice Paul Ryan or Mitt Romney would get.

The way age and illness have been for a long time, most presidents get one Scotus chance per term.

[coco77]

2. What's wrong..

someone not on the bench to tell him how to vote?

[rjsquirrel]

4. Ha ha! Brilliant! Eom

[MineralMan]

3. Hillary 2016!

[msanthrope]

5. I think he misses his puppeteer. nt

[LonePirate]

6. Why wait until the election? He can retire at the end this term and enjoy the summer in his RV!

[ZombieHorde]

7. Delicious. :) nt

[PufPuf23]

8. Why aren't POTUS Obama and Democrats in Congress hammering the system and media

every day about filling Scalia's now vacant seat on the USSC?

There is no excuse for not attempting every day to fill the empty seat.

So what if the GOP is successful in blocking an appointment.

At least POTUS Obama and the Democratic party will have tried and more people would know that the GOP refused to cooperate.

Not making an effort now seems inconsistent with the threat that about appointments under a Democratic versus GOP POTUS.

Of course, having the votes in the Senate and House for a secure vote on a nomination is best.